Retirement and surgery

[PD41]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

Many thanks

How old are you ?

People retire at all sorts of ages these days.

I'm thinking about retiring at the end of the year.

Thanks

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

I was self employed for 40 years. No sick leave ever.
Family friend is a physical therapist. She will work me until I hate her...or so she says.

OK, that makes sense

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by PD41

How old are you ?

People retire at all sorts of ages these days.

I'm thinking about retiring at the end of the year.

Thanks

I’ll be 67 in April. I probably would have continued working part time but my shoulder is telling me NO!
After my shoulder is better I’ll be tending to my rentals. A couple of them need kitchen and bath remodels so I’ll still be doing some work.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

I’ll be 67 in April. I probably would have continued working part time but my shoulder is telling me NO!
After my shoulder is better I’ll be tending to my rentals. A couple of them need kitchen and bath remodels so I’ll still be doing some work.

You sound much like me: 1) I hate to pay for work I know how to do and 2), I can't delegate worth a crap. You need to change as I need to.

I just did my first job where I didn't pick up a tool. Even though the guy that I found to do the work is pretty good, it's not me and I wanna stop him and make him be me. Ain't gonna happen. This guy is his own boss and he's just getting the work from me. I get compensated by the homeowner and the contractor for the arrangement.

If you need to save money by doing these remodels yourself, you need to figure out a way to get it done by others and save your shoulder. Just to remind you when you get back and read this, your own labor is NOT an expense that is deductible for your rental properties. If you figure out how to make the money to pay for the work, 2 things happen: your money goes into 'improvements' and therefore your income tax liability gets canceled out. If you continue to make money self employed, you will pay the 15% self employment tax before the money gets spent on the rentals. Think about this while you're on the mend.

When you figure it out, let fastfredracing know because he's going about it all wrong.

Sorry for the derailment.

[Zeke]

Checking in....

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Checking in....

Thanks for checking. Yesterday was pure hell. I just can’t take anesthesia. I was ok for an hour or so when I got home but then the nausea hit. Pulled a muscle in my back dry heaving. Got a migraine headache to boot. I finally went to bed about 8 pm and slept great. Today was much better. No shoulder pain just still a little spacey.
I’m very much hands on. Always worked side by side with my employees. I just need to get something accomplished or it’s not a fruitful day. Plus, my wife will make me sell my tools if I don’t use them.

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

Thanks for checking. Yesterday was pure hell. I just can’t take anesthesia. I was ok for an hour or so when I got home but then the nausea hit. Pulled a muscle in my back dry heaving. Got a migraine headache to boot. I finally went to bed about 8 pm and slept great. Today was much better. No shoulder pain just still a little spacey.
I’m very much hands on. Always worked side by side with my employees. I just need to get something accomplished or it’s not a fruitful day. Plus, my wife will make me sell my tools if I don’t use them.

Sorry to hear it's been rough, but not surprised. It will hurt a good long while, but eventually you'll be good as new.

My shoulder was done just before we got an offer to buy our business--I know exactly what you mean when you say you have to get something accomplished each day. It was a tumultuous time for me, and the last thing I wanted was to be laid up, but I followed orders. Pay now or pay a lot more later.

[timchar]

Glad to hear you are doing ok. I had surgery in Sept 2018, for a “ full thickness”tear 6 months ago. I’m 59, had a recliner and adjustable bed. Used the ice machine and followed all my DRs and PTs orders.
Not all tears are the same.... I had to wear sling 3 months. I go to Dr today to hopefully get released. They have only let me do passive ROM up till now. Dr has advised me not to lift over 20 lbs over head and to become left hand dominant. ( If I’d like my shoulder to last the rest of my life). I truly doubt I can make that transition. I heard from tons of folks that said they only wore the sling for 6 weeks or not at all and did quicker more aggressive therapy. I reiterate, not all tears are the same. I also had 2 lumbar spinal fusions with 2 laminectomys and 4 cages 3 weeks prior to shoulder surgery. Shoulder Dr was very reluctant to do surgery so soon.
Looking back I should have had shoulder surgery sooner. I tore it twice and knew each time I did it.
Sooner you have surgery after any tear the better the outcome . Stay with ice, be patient and follow orders and I’m sure you will have a positive outcome.
Good luck, Tim

[Bugsinrugs]

Second night that I slept great. No pain at all. Everyone tells me to get ready for the pain. The pain before surgery was so bad I can’t imagine post surgery pain being worse. They prescribed OxyContin but I won’t touch them. So far so good.even took the dog for a walk yesterday.

[pavulon]

Was your surgery an entirely arthroscopic procedure?

[Bugsinrugs]

No. They opened me up I had a bone spur that was the main cause of the rotator cuff tear.

[scottmandue]

I'm in the que for retirement in May and a knee replacement after... I asked before about knee replacement but get answers all over the place. Any tips would be appreciated.

Such as my carpel tunnel surgery, "you will be fine in two weeks", no, I was at 100% after a year but still glad I got the surgery.

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I in the que for retirement in May and a knee replacement after... I asked before about knee replacement but get answers all over the place. Any tips would be appreciated.

Such as my carpel tunnel surgery, "you will be fine in two weeks", no, I was at 100% after a year but still glad I got the surgery.

My knee is next on the list. Getting old sucks

[Dantilla]

So, Shoulder guys-

What was it like leading up to needing surgery?
I'm definitely having some shoulder "issues". I can usually do whatever needed during the day, but it often gets really ugly at night.

I have full range of motion, no big tears, but if I do much over my head, it's going to get really ugly.
Cortisone shot did nothing.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

So, Shoulder guys-

What was it like leading up to needing surgery?
I'm definitely having some shoulder "issues". I can usually do whatever needed during the day, but it often gets really ugly at night.

I have full range of motion, no big tears, but if I do much over my head, it's going to get really ugly.
Cortisone shot did nothing.

Not sure what your shoulder issue is but I have arthritis in my shoulder (and knee) and my Dr. gave me a script for gabapentin, doesn't kill the pain 100% but helps me get to sleep. Not sure exactly what it is but don't think it is a pain killer. Pretty sure a Dr. that posts here can give a better description.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

So, Shoulder guys-

What was it like leading up to needing surgery?
I'm definitely having some shoulder "issues". I can usually do whatever needed during the day, but it often gets really ugly at night.

I have full range of motion, no big tears, but if I do much over my head, it's going to get really ugly.
Cortisone shot did nothing.

Why only at night? If you're doing well by day you just need to avoid whatever it is that is bothering you at night. If it's a sleeping position then change. If you do surgery you will change anyway.

And the overhead thing is telling you something. Listen. You can't have it both ways meaning you can stop overhead now or do the surgery and not do overhead at all, ever. It's just not healthy. Getting the point that you can put on a jacket with your arms up is about all that you get out of this. Unless you're young and want to do the surgery again in 10-15 years. Abuse it and it will not last.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Why only at night? If you're doing well by day you just need to avoid whatever it is that is bothering you at night. If it's a sleeping position then change. If you do surgery you will change anyway.

And the overhead thing is telling you something. Listen. You can't have it both ways meaning you can stop overhead now or do the surgery and not do overhead at all, ever. It's just not healthy. Getting the point that you can put on a jacket with your arms up is about all that you get out of this. Unless you're young and want to do the surgery again in 10-15 years. Abuse it and it will not last.

Hmmm.....

Not what I was hoping to hear. My plan is to soon frame a carport/storage building now that the snow is quickly receding.
So you don't think it's wise for me to stick-frame the roof with 2x8 rafters?

I really appreciate the input.
I may stick my finger in my ears and scream La-La-La-La- like a 4-year-old, but I'll try to listen.
Grrrrr......

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

I’m officially retired. My last day was Friday. I get to celebrate with rotator cuff surgery on Monday. Rehab is going to drive me batty. I’m pretty active and very hands on. Looks like my projects will have to be done one handed for a while.

Any words to the wise from those that have recovered from shoulder surgery?

Hey, congrats on the retirement!!!!!!! The wife is planning on next year and she is suggesting/pushing me to bail as well. Although I’ve only got 25 years into my current gig. Sorry about the surgery though....

In 2011 I went through a very serious life threatening issue requiring emergency surgery with a follow up slice and dice a few months later. I too am very active and always have my fingers into something. I don’t do well sitting around doing nothing.

It’s all about your mental mindset and realizing it is totally out of your control requiring rest for recovery. Finding your Zen in a way. You can definitely wrap yourself around the axle if your not careful.

I binge watched all of Top Gear and movies, read, tons of surfing research on the 912’s and 911’s. I hate to say it, I learned to slow down a little and notice a bunch of things I took for granted or just never paid any attention too. Kinda shifted my priorities a bit.

In all, we all will handle these things differently and you just need to find what works best for you. Oh yeah, be sure to follow “all” of your physical terrorist directions and instructions. You will also come to understand better living through modern chemistry too.

Best of luck and keep us posted. Enjoy the next chapter in your life....... after the surgery and recovery.

Cheers
Bugs



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[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Hmmm.....

Not what I was hoping to hear. My plan is to soon frame a carport/storage building now that the snow is quickly receding.
So you don't think it's wise for me to stick-frame the roof with 2x8 rafters?

I really appreciate the input.
I may stick my finger in my ears and scream La-La-La-La- like a 4-year-old, but I'll try to listen.
Grrrrr......

I've built all my life. You can do things the hard way and the not-so-hard way. Framing is no different. You just have to engineer a way to do it with less lifting. A helper goes a LONG way to achieve that.

Take this from a guy that wouldn't take it easy. Workers comp is so costly in CA that I only carried it for a short time. I took risks and hired people that weren't insured from time to time which is pretty damn stupid. But for the most part I did the work myself. I estimate that I have installed 5000 doors and windows over a 25 year period. Towards the end it was very painful to do anything above my eye level. At the end I couldn't raise my right arm more than 10º to my side. And I was still framing last summer. Very stupid and the surgeon told me that I was a tough case, not as in a tough guy (which might be true) but tough to correct the shoulder. They had to do a bone graft to find enough anchorage for the prosthesis.

Someone said that if you have an injury see to it sooner rather than later. I believe that might be better, but if I had a replacement back when it was first recommended I'd be way more than half way through the life of that shoulder. And I wouldn't have taken care of it either. I know better now. And you should too.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

My knee is next on the list. Getting old sucks

So, Bugs, how ya doing today?